Richard Gonzalez is 20 years old and is currently a Junior at Sacramento State University studying Trumpet Performance formerly under Ron Blais (Former Solo/Principal Cornet of the USAF Band in Washington D.C.) , currently under Dr. Nathan Sobieralski (Fresno Philharmonic and Opera), and receives orchestral training from Jeff Biancalana (San Francisco Symphony). He began his musical studies in 4th grade and has always enjoyed playing the trumpet, but didn’t take it seriously until his sophomore year of high school when he started taking lessons. He grew up in a non-musical family and found his inspiration in wanting to achieve the highest musical levels and honors that he experienced his peers achieving like participating in honor bands and solo festivals.

Richard currently holds the Principal Trumpet position with the Sacramento State Symphony Orchestra, Third Trumpet with the Folsom Lake Symphony, and is a member of the prestigious San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has also had the pleasure of performing with the Valley Choral Society and Orchestra, Camellia Symphony, Camerata California, Sierra Nevada Winds, Golden State Wind Orchestra, Sacramento State Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Sacramento State 1 O’Clock Jazz Band, Camerata Capistrano, Central California Youth Wind Ensemble, and numerous theater productions around Sacramento. During the Summer, he has also attended the Summer Brass Institute in Menlo Park while studying with members of the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and Bay Brass.

In high school, he was also had the honor of being selected for the California All-State High School Honor Bands and the California All-Northern High School Honor Band.

In his rare free time, he enjoys cooking, biking, watching TV shows on Netflix, spending quality time with his loving family and friends, and listening to his favorite musicians such as Philip Smith, Tine Thing Helseth, Snarky Puppy, Incubus, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Berlin Philharmonie.